"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper
who love you. Peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces'" (Psalm 122:6-7).
The city of Jerusalem continues to be a focal
point during the current peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis.
Both sides lay claim to sovereignty over the city which is holy to the
three world monotheistic religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Israelis
of all political persuasions insist that a united Jerusalem will be the
eternal capital of the Jewish state-come what may.
In contrast, Palestinians insist that partial
control must be ceded to an Arab authority as part of a comprehensive
peace settlement. Part of the city is already controlled by Palestinians
and some speculate that a building under construction in east Jerusalem
will serve as the capital building for the future Arab government.
Last month's failed talks at Camp David broke
down largely over the issue of the future status of Jerusalem. Both Ehud
Barak and Yassir Arafat knew they could not bargain away their positions
on the city and hope to effect a peace settlement with their peoples.
On July 23 Pope John Paul II spoke out on
the religious importance of Jerusalem. From his summer home in Castel
Gandolfo he urged the parties, "not to overlook the importance of the
spiritual dimension of the city of Jerusalem...." The pontiff added, "The
Holy See continues to maintain that only a special, internationally guaranteed
statute can effectively preserve the most sacred parts of the Holy City
and ensure freedom of belief and worship for all believers who, in the
region and throughout the world, see Jerusalem as the crossroads of peace
and coexistence" (L'Osservatore Romano, July 26, 2000).
